Testimonials

Testimonials

In preparation for IMAZ, I wanted to drop you a short email, as I know my mind will be elsewhere next week. This being my “virgin” voyage to an IM start….I thought I’d start with the following, as it captures what I’ve done since June 4, 2012.

BIKE – 2,250 miles

RUN – 450 miles

SWIM – 87 miles

BEING PREPARAED FOR YOUR 1st IRONMAN……PRICELESS!

I continually go back in my mind and remember when I fist met you during your spring IM Camp in AZ. I was in awe of all the things you discussed that I had no clue about (most of which I still don’t know much about ;). I started by stating I would love to have you as my coach someday……not because you were what I wanted, but rather you were what I needed. Well, in hindsight I could not have been more WRONG! You’re exactly what I wanted and needed! I asked that you provide me with a “plug-n-play” strategy/training plan because of my work & family commitments. You did that with flying colors! People around me told me you were tough (BSC didn’t derive out of nowhere). Well, I don’t have that viewpoint. I don’t think you’re tough at all…I actually think you got the “best” of what I had to offer and you obtained that in the most supportive manner. Your words of encouragement and positive reinforcement are second to none and vastly appreciated

Needless to say, I couldn’t have done this without your coaching….both mentally and physically.

Of course, it also helps to have a loving & supportive wife who has “been there & done that.” The journey has been an awesome experience and I have you to thank for that. I sing your praises every chance I get and look forward to the future that lies ahead. I’m not sure what that will entail at this point, but rest assured if there is another IM in my future there’s no one I want to travel the road with other than YOU!

Thank you gain for everything! I know this email comes a bit prematurely, but I didn’t want to wait until the last moment to tell you how I feel.

Warmest wishes,

Scott

a.k.a “Diesel”

I cannot say enough about how much you have helped my health and training. Starting out at @ 239lbs was not fun, but now only a short months later I am down to 189.5 and counting. You have changed the direction of my health for the better. My wife and two boys thank you as well. We work out as a family now!! I have signed up for Ironman Louisville this year and could not imagine doing this without your experience and knowledge. The system you use, Training Peaks, is perfect for someone who lives in a time zone 6 hours ahead of you. The follow up on my workouts are perfect and the accountability when I miss is always there. Thanks for all you have done for me this year and for me in the future!! All the best – Scott Panella

I can’t thank you enough for supporting me the way you did or these past few months. It has been a great journey and a wonderful experience working with you. There is no way I could have accomplished half of what I have done this without you. I wanted to do well in both the short course and the long course. You provided me your insight on how that would effect me. I said I wanted both and without hesitation you developed a training plan that would yield the best results. You prepared me for Armed Forces and then immediately shifted focus to the long distance training. Hawaii 70.3 was frustrating for me but you picked me up dusted me off and re-focused me for my first IM. In preparation for IMCDA you knew when to back off so that I could spend time with the family. Michelle you are a inspiration and I’m very lucky to have met you. Not just because of the triathlon coaching but because of your attitude, your dedication, your love for the sport and to your athletes. Thanks for giving me 110% even when you knew I wasn’t giving it back.

Armando Espinoza

I have been coached by Michelle for the last year and I couldn’t be more pleased. I was looking to up my game after my first year doing triathlon and she helped me do just that; two half ironman’s (with a 21 minute PR on the second), a 24 minute PR over my previous year’s NYC Triathlon and placing in the top 4% OA in a local sprint tri (top 18% the year prior). More importantly she works with me to address any concerns I have in training and is tireless when answering my many questions. She is always researching information and technique to help improve her coaching and her athletes’ performances. My overall fitness has improved tremendously and through her coaching, she has given me the gift of confidence. I know if I set a goal for myself she will be there to help me not only reach it, but surpass my own expectations.

Regina Chui, Dec 2016

Michelle is simply passionate about coaching. She really cares about her athletes, and manages to pull the best out of us using honest feedback, patience, and a sense of humor. Her training plans are both challenging and confidence building. I love finishing a workout and being surprised at what I accomplished. She goes out of her way to make sure that I understand what she is asking of me, and explains the goal of a workout, exercise, or drill. Since starting with Simmons Endurance Coaching, every goal race has been a PR. Michelle has been thrilled at my accomplishments (both in races and workouts) and then gently encourages me to go out and achieve more. I highly recommend her as a coach!

Nalani Kaun

Kailua, Hawaii

Michelle began coaching me in May, 2010. I had seen the awesome results she had with another athlete, and asked her if she’d coach me to my goal of swimming the channel between Lana’i and Maui (15 km), solo, for my 50th birthday, after taking 5 years off from competing. We hit all of my goals – so well, in fact, that she has me swimming times that match what I was doing eight years ago. There are three truly standout qualities that Michelle brings to her coaching. One, she understands the differences in her athletes’ physiology and psychology. This means that she can really get fantastic results not only from her encouragement and pushing, but by having the ability to enable each athlete to find what, from within, pushes him or her. Two, as stellar as her athletic accomplishments are, she does not sit on her laurels. What I find ever more impressive is that she draws from many diverse sources in areas including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, etc. She is constantly educating herself, and that makes for potent coaching. Three, the energy and love she brings to her coaching is phenomenal. You are getting a real human coach with Michelle. That is MamaSimmons! 🙂 Jennifer Strabylla

I’ve been doing triathlons or parts of triathlons since 2001 and I’ve always just winged it with my training. I’ve done 3 Ironmans and Michelle is now training me for my 4th in Coeur d’Alene. I have never been as fast as I am now. I’ve known Michelle for about 4 years now – through training and racing together. Michelle’s extensive experience and expertise have always been clear to me and I am so excited to now have her sharing them with me. She takes a personal interest in my training and overall well-being as one of her athletes. She is constantly pushing me to reach beyond my limits and push myself to reach and exceed my potential. The best part of being coached by Michelle is I know I’m always getting honest feedback. If I’m ready to go and she knows it, she can get me super stoked on my race and when I’m slacking off……smack down! Without Michelle’s coaching and expertise, I wouldn’t have made as much progress or be celebrating as many successes as I am now. Totes amaze!

Karen Finnerty

Kapolei, Hawaii

Inspiring, challenging, fulfilling.

These are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of what training with Michelle has been like.

I started competing in triathlons two years ago and was self coached up until I met Michelle, November of 2009. Since then she’s been coaching me for my first half Ironman (Honu 2010) and I couldn’t be doing it with out her. It’s one thing to go out run, ride, swim, and then race. It’s another to train to race.

Michelle’s experience in the sport shows. I know I’m in good hands. She has already been (and then some) to the tough mental and physical places I’m going and is willing, ready, and able to get me through it. She’s totally stoked on seeing her athletes succeed and that energy of hers is infectious! It’s like she’s my triathlon mother. She’s there to: guide me, listen to and love me through some tough spots, celebrate my successes, and most importantly tell me when to suck it up and get it done.